Balancing the checkbook | The Weekly Wausonian

Wausau news for the week of Sept. 10, 2026

City leaders last week approved a recommendation for the city to undergo an audit.

Those in favor of developing an audit proposal explained at the Sept. 2 Committee of the Whole that the audit wouldn’t be a forensic or “witch hunt” audit, but would be more akin to a broad operational review.

The city’s rarely used executive committee would have oversight of the audit.

The audit came after a wave of residents called for one to examine the city’s spending as it faces another budgetary shortfall this year, despite the city closing one of its TIF Districts with another on the way, and despite a referendum to fund firefighters when grant funding ran out.

Some alders cautioned that the audit might identify areas where the city should be spending more money, though it won’t be able to. Council Member Michael Martens pointed to the city’s motor pool study, which took months and whose recommendations couldn’t be implemented because they cost too much.

But others point to the audit possibly looking at budgeting reforms, such as zero-based and priority budgeting frameworks.

The proposal would ultimately need to be approved by the city council.

According to prosecutors, nearly $1 million was embezzled from a local real estate company — we broke down what happened:

And paid subscribers get our Monday three things feature, for things to keep an eye on during the week.

What else in Wausau?

City to county on UWSP campus overhaul - we’ll think about it: City leaders last week asked for a six-month planning option on the possibility of building a new police station on the former UWSP campus — but the proposal would now include looking at a campus-wide approach to using the facility. The city plans to contract architectural, engineering and environmental studies on the property before committing to anything. Meanwhile, Wisconsin Ice Volleyball would like to buy the field house and could be operating within a month; and the Center for the Visual Arts is interested in the art buildings. And yet another company, Lone Wolf Works, would like to take the central heating plant off the county’s hands. Finally, the Parks Department put together a proposal to run the fieldhouse and program it. Following a closed session Tuesday, a joint meeting of the Extension, Education and Economic Development and Human Resources, Finance and Property committees announced they’d directed staff to begin negotiations with all the parties involved.

No solar for you: A plan to add solar energy to the city’s drinking water treatment plant hit a snag Tuesday as the city’s Finance Committee pulled the brakes on the project. The committee voted against recommending the project after the city was rejected for its application for an Environmental Protection Agency grant. That meant the city would need to fund the $2.8 million itself through borrowing (though with a federal incentive worth about 30% of the project), and for Finance Committee leaders that was a bridge too far. The vote failed 4-1.

Wangard Riverlife development approved after failing committee: A plan to add 144 apartment units to the city’s flagship development area got the city’s OK after the development agreement failed at committee. The Wausau City Council approved the agreement 7-4, reversing a decision from the city’s Economic Development Committee. That committee voted 2-2, which resulted in no recommendation. Wangard will buy the land for $100,000, and receive incentives via a reverse TIF District incentive, meaning it only gets the incentives for the $36.1 million project if it generates taxes.

Around the metro

County chooses cheaper solution for Edgar radio problems: County leaders essentially had two solutions to the radio deadzone issues in the Edgar area: One was a $500,000 tower, and the other was a G2 paging system. County leaders at the Public Safety Committee Tuesday chose the latter, which will cost about $400-$720 annually. At about $15 per user, the cost should be much less to overcome the radio dead zone created by the Edgar area’s topography, which is essentially shaped like a giant bowl making radio contact difficult. The paging system provides an alternative messaging system to contact emergency workers. Sheriff Chad Billeb at the direction of the committee said he will pilot the G2 system and report back to the committee on how it’s working.

Meals on Wheels make cuts, asking for funding: The Aging and Disability Resource Center has reduced the number of meals it gives to those who need it, ADRC officials told the county last week. According to a request the ADRC has made for funds, it used to provide five meals during the week and two frozen meals for the weekend to elderly and disabled residents. The highest risk clients now get four meals a week and moderate risk clients get three. That comes as food costs have increased 50% in the last five years while funding remains flat. The ADRC plans to ask for $41,000 out of the county budget, only the second ask since the program started in 2008. The ARDC has made also had to make staffing cuts and changes to its service delivery, officials told county leaders.

One quarter of homeless individuals originate outside county, report shows: As many as 25% of homeless individuals come from outside the county, the county’s new homeless coordinator says. That data came from the WMC Shelter — the one started by Wausau Police before the Bridge Street Mission opened — from its 2025 intake data. Milwaukee, Chicago and Madison were the three most common places the individuals originated from. Marathon County Homelessness Coordinator Megan Barnett told county leaders that Bridge Street Mission even had two Lincoln County officers drop off individuals at the shelter. Eau Claire has sought an attorney general opinion on law enforcement bringing homeless individuals to other communities, something Marathon County leaders might review.

Tanker crash leads to propane leak: County emergency crews responded to a crash involving a tanker Wednesday morning in the town of Frankfort. The crash happened at Chokecherry and Hazelnut roads, and emergency hazmat crews were on scene to stop the propane leak. Workers were able to stop the leak and transfer the propane to another tanker before clearing the scene. No one was injured.

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Entertainment

Wausau’s annual weekend of art is upon us, with plenty to do for folks ranging from those who deeply love art to the casual observer alike. And that’s not all, with a polka fest, a bluegrass act, comedy and so much more this weekend.

Sports

Football: Wausau West earned its first Wisconsin Valley Conference win Friday at the expense of its cross-town rival. The Warriors defeated D.C. Everest 24-13 Friday, giving them a 1-0 conference record to start the season. The Warriors will host Wisconsin Rapids Friday (7 pm).

Boys soccer: D.C. Everest got its first win of the season to elevate it to the top Wausau area team in the Valley. The Evergreens beat Wausau West 4-2 Tuesday to improve to a 1-1 record for the season.

Girls tennis: D.C. Everest dropped its first Valley match to SPASH Thursday, the only game to play as other games in the conference were postponed. All three Wausau area Valley teams are slated to play today (Thursday).

Volleyball: D.C. Everest and Wausau West both kicked off the Valley volleyball season with wins Thursday — the Evergreens beat SPASH 3-2, and the Warriors beat Wisconsin Rapids in three straight games.

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